Looking for Hill Country holiday lights? We’ve searched the region to help you find the best places to visit this year.
Ho, ho, ho! It’s that time of year again, y’all. Time to load up the kids (or just your sweetheart) and head on out for a bit of outdoorsy holiday cheer.
To help you find the best Texas Hill Country holiday lights, we’ve developed this list of the 10 best light events from across the region. Big cities, small towns — all aspire this December to help you make merry.
Days and times vary, so we suggest you spend some time noodling through this list, visiting the corresponding web page, and then setting a date to visit — well in advance.
Note, too, this list contains a mix of free and ticked events. (We’ve noted the free events at the end of each entry.)
A final reminder: Always double-check dates, times, ticketing information and the weather before heading out and when traveling long distances. Also, in a pandemic year, please respect the rules and regulations for each community. Questions? You can always ring up local convention and visitor’s bureaus.
Now, on with the fun!
Hill Country holiday lights (2021)
Austin Trail of Lights (Austin)
For almost 6 decades, Austinites have done up Christmas right in Zilker Park. Long a trail that welcomed visitors, this year it’s a ticketed, drive-thru event that also showcases area non-profits. Reservations required.
Wildflower Luminations (Austin)
See thousand of luminaries light up the grounds of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center! This year, you can also stroll the grounds of the Texas Arboretum and see “the light splashed forts” of the center’s Fortlandia exhibit. Reservations required.
Christmas Nights of Lights (Fredericksburg)
Visit this beloved Hill Country community to see the lighting of Marktplatz with its 26-foot German Christmas pyramid and community tree. Round out your Fredericksburg adventure with activities to be found in their annual Christmas and Holiday Guide. Free.
Lights Spectacular Hill Country Style (Johnson City)
For over thirty years, the town where LBJ grew up has hosted a seasonal light show to complement not only its downtown area but also the Pedernales Electric Coop, which is based in Johnson City. This brings the story full circle, as the late president’s work with rural electrification helped illuminate communities nationwide. See our 2019 story for more details – and the video below, from our Instagram account, too. Free.
Walkway of Lights (Marble Falls)
A walkable lights display? Count us in! This small town puts up 130 illuminated sculptures in its Lakeside Park each year, inviting folks to make their way down a trail. (Word is that the whole experience takes about 30 minutes to complete.) Free.
Holiday lights on the River Walk (San Antonio)
In our book, there’s nothing prettier than seeing the Alamo City’s famous River Walk decked out for the holidays. Free.
Concho Christmas Celebration (San Angelo)
Founded in 1994, the Tour of Lights has expanded to a 2.5-mile drive along the Concho River, where 3 million lights sparkle like diamonds. The light display is but one of several activities that comprise the overall celebration. Free, but a donation is appreciated.
Old West Christmas Light Fest (Boerne)
What could be more fun—or more authentically Texan—than seeing Christmas lights twinkling against an Old West-style backdrop? Toss in Santa and stars shining overhead and, well, that’s Old West Christmas Light Fest. Tickets required.
The Dancing Lights of Mill Pond Park (San Saba)
Up at the top of the Hill Country sits San Saba, a quaint ranching town that’s seeing a bit of a high-end travel boom. (Think fancy stores, a swanky boutique hotel.) They still do their free Christmas lights display up in the old park, though, from Thanksgiving Night until January 6, 2022. Drivers can set their radios to 88.7 FM and enjoy music synced to over 30 acres of lights. Free.
Christmas on the Ranch (Welfare)
Reportedly the area’s largest drive-thru light display with 4 million lights, this show takes place on the legendary Don Strange Ranch near Welfare, Texas. It’s been going strong for almost a decade as it continues to evolve and change. Reservations required.
The EmilyAnn’s Trail of Lights (Wimberley)
Explore 8 acres of lighted outdoor exhibits, experience live music on the outdoor stage, and gather to enjoy complimentary marshmallows and hot chocolate around a Yule log. Rumor has it that Santa flies in most nights to greet folks waking the trail at his personal Hill Country getaway. Special events will take place, too. Donations accepted.
Windcrest Light Up (Windcrest/San Antonio)
Move over, Griswold family! If you’ve got a hankering for an old-fashioned drive through a mid-century modern community, then head over to Windcrest and kick off your Christmas vacation right. There, you’ll see the continuation of a decades-old tradition, one that’s sure to spark nostalgia for your own 1970s, ’80s or ’90s family light display. Free.
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